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Man arrested after crashing into house

Suspect reported car stolen day after wreck

Forsyth County News

Julie Arrington

Updated:
Dec. 22, 2008, 5 a.m.

A 51-year-old man who reported his vehicle stolen a day after he crashed it into a neighbor's house remained in custody Thursday at the Forsyth County Detention Center.

Fred Honrath of 3320 Ridgefair Drive was arrested Sunday by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. He faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence, driving while license suspended and failure to maintain lane.

A jail spokeswoman said bond has been set at $3,643.

Saturday night, Honrath drove his black 2004 PT Cruiser through the front porch and into the garage of a house at 3910 Ridgefair Drive in the Manchester Park subdivision, where Honrath is also a resident, said Sheriff's Capt. Frank Huggins.

Citing the investigating deputy's report, Huggins said Forsyth County fire personnel escorted Honrath from his car to the front of the house and he seemed "disoriented and was visibly shaking."

Huggins said Honrath could not provide a driver's license and his registration and insurance were expired.

"He stated he was drinking earlier in the day and did not remember whether or not he took medication," Huggins said.

Honrath was taken to North Fulton Hospital, where he was treated for injuries from the wreck. Huggins said Honrath was cited while there, but was not arrested "due to unknown medical status."

Seven people were inside the house when Honrath drove into it, Huggins said, but all got out unscathed.

Attempts to contact the homeowner, Frank Borucki, were not successful. The residents have temporarily relocated while repairs are made.

It appears Honrath was confused about what had happened.

Huggins said Honrath reported Sunday that his vehicle had been stolen.

The investigating deputy arrived and Honrath told him the car had been taken from his driveway.

"He stated he did not remember the incident that occurred the previous day," Huggins said. "He stated he does not remember driving the vehicle into the residence."

Honrath was arrested, Huggins said, and taken to the Forsyth County jail.

According to sheriff's office records, it was at least his third DUI arrest in 15 months. Honrath was arrested in June on charges of driving under the influence and striking a fixed object. He also was charged with DUI in September 2007, records show.

Manchester Park residents contacted Wednesday declined to comment on the matter, but indicated this wasn't the first incident involving Honrath in the neighborhood, which is off Castleberry Road southwest of Cumming.

Residents said they are concerned about his behavior because there are a lot of children in the neighborhood.

In an unrelated incident two months ago, the subdivision was the site of an hour-long standoff involving a 38-year-old man who barricaded himself inside a Shillham Court home.

Authorities said the man, who locked himself in when they tried to serve him with a misdemeanor criminal trespassing warrant, was eventually taken into custody without incident.